Barrel grapple



Nov. 27, 1951 K. L. REYNOLDS 2,576,193

BARREL GRAPPLE Filed June 20, 1949 Kennel/1 L. Reynolds 1N VEN TOR.

v M 5 AIM-n2 Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in barrel grapples in which theleverage from a hinge point on each of three grapple bars operates inconjunction with a steel plate attached to said bar. The objects of thisimprovement are first, to facilitate the lifting and handling ofbarrels; second, to afford protection from physical damage to the barrelitself and to those engaged in the handling of the same.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the present invention disposed above a barrel(shown in dotted lines), and with the lifting members for the L -shapedmembers removed;

Figure 2 is a side View of the present invention with the liftingmembers applied to the L-shaped members; and,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken substantially onthe plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 1 but showing one of the liftingmembers applied to one of the L-shaped members.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose ofillustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the numeral represents the grapple yoke including threeidentical, stationary, radially projecting arms l2. The inner ends ofthe arms l2 are joined at a central point I4 and the outer ends of thearms are equally spaced from each other.

Each of the arms I2 supports an L-shaped bar I6 having a longer leg l8and a shorter leg 20. The legs [8 and 2B are joined at their junction bystrengthening plates 22. Pivot pins 24 extend through openings in theplates 22 and the pins 24 also extend through transverse apertures 26 inthe outer ends of the arms I2.

Barrel contacting plates 28 are fixed to the outer ends of the shorterlegs 20. These plates, 28, are provided with curved front barrelengaging faces 30 and rear faces 32 that are disposed at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axes of said shorter legs 20, as shown bestin Figure 3.

Means is provided for lifting or raising the inner ends of the longerlegs l 8 to swing the shorter legs and the plates 28 against the outerperiphery of a barrel B' This means comprises flexible lifting membersor chains 34 having inner ends that are fastened to the inner endsupwardly, as a unit, in order to force the plates 28 into grippingengagement with the barrel B, whereupon the barrel B may be convenientlylifted and handled.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A barrel grapple comprising a yoke including three arms extendingradially from a common center and spaced equally at their outer ends ofthe legs l8 by brackets 36, suitably secured to from each other, saidarms being joined together at their inner ends at said center, three L-shaped bars, one bar being secured to the outer end of each arm, eachbar having a longer leg disposed above its arm and a shorter leg joinedtogether and having a strengthening plate at the junction of said legs,a pivot pin passed through an opening in said plate and attached to theouter end of one of said arms, barrel contacting plates fixed to theouter end of the shorter legs, flexible lifting members for said bars,and means to fasten said lifting members to the inner ends of saidlonger legs.

2. A barrel grapple comprising a yoke includ ing three arms extendingradially from a common center and spaced equally at their outer endsfrom each other, said arms being joined together at their inner ends atsaid center, three L-shaped bars, one bar being secured to the outer endof each arm, each bar having a longer leg disposed above its arm and ashorter leg joined together and having a strengthening plate at thejunction of said legs, a pivot pin passed through an open ing in saidplate and attached to the outer end of one of said arms, barrelcontacting plates fixed to the outer end of the shorter legs, flexiblelifting members for said bars, and means to fasten said lifting membersto the inner ends of said longer legs, said barrel contacting plates:having curved front barrel engaging faces and rear faces, and said facesbeing disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axes of saidshorter legs.

KENNETH LEE REYNOLDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,014,079 McKay Jan. 9, 1912'2,437,485 Sonnenschein Mar. 9, 1948

